After getting dropped by Columbia Records at 18 years old, singer-songwrite… Read Full Bio ↴After getting dropped by Columbia Records at 18 years old, singer-songwriter Alec Benjamin built a following by playing in parking lots outside of Shawn Mendes and Troye Sivan concerts. The Phoenix, Arizona native caught the attention of Jon Bellion, earning a songwriting credit on Bellion’s debut album and later joined him on tour.

To build on the momentum, Benjamin began uploading new songs to his YouTube channel at a rapid clip and eventually earned a viral hit with “I Built a Friend” and a deal with Atlantic Records.

Benjamin connects to listeners by incorporating using his life struggles to tell stories and give meaning to his songs. You can see this in “Let Me Down Slowly,” “Paper Crown,” “I Built a Friend,” “Death of a Hero,” and “If We Have Each Other.”
Benjamin released his first studio album mixtape, Narrated for You on November 16, 2018, and released his first studio album, These Two Windows on May 29, 2020

Deniro
Alec Benjamin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

This is not the role that I auditioned for
Please tell me who's in charge and I'll give them what for
I don't wanna wear the wardrobe that you gave to me
And how come I don't have a line to read?
I wanna be the one that all the fans adore
Don't wanna be the one that simply holds the door
But if all I get is there's cameo
Then I will do my best to steal the show

If I'm not the hero, if I'm not the lead
If I'm not De Niro, then I'll be
The hero of the zeroes in the camouflage
The extra due in extra in the entourage
If I'm not the hero, if I'm not the lead
If I'm not De Niro, then I'll be
The hero of the zeroes in the camouflage
The extra due in extra in the entourage
Mm, mm, mm

Might be the only chance I have to take a shot
And so I'll do my dance because how could I not?
I wanna stand out, not stand on the side
I wanna get in when the stars arrive

If I'm not the hero, if I'm not the lead
If I'm not De Niro, then I'll be
The hero of the zeroes in the camouflage
The extra due in extra in the entourage
If I'm not the hero, if I'm not the lead
If I'm not De Niro, then I'll be
The hero of the zeroes in the camouflage
The extra due in extra in the entourage
Mm, mm, mm

If I'm not the hero, if I'm not the lead
If I'm not De Niro, then I'll be
The hero of the zeroes in the camouflage
The extra due in extra in the entourage
If I'm not the hero, if I'm not the lead
If I'm not De Niro, then I'll be
The hero of the zeroes in the camouflage
The extra due in extra in the entourage

Mm, mm, mm
Mm, mm, mm

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Alec Benjamin's song "Deniro" express the frustration and longing for recognition and validation in a world where everyone seems to have an assigned role. The singer feels like they were promised a different position, perhaps a more prominent one, but they find themselves cast as a minor character or an extra. They question the authority that made this decision and express their desire to be seen and appreciated by the audience. They don't want to be relegated to a background role, they want to be the one that fans adore and remember.

The reference to De Niro, a legendary actor known for his captivating performances, represents the singer's aspiration to be a leading figure or a hero in their own right. They feel like they have the potential to steal the show and make an impact, despite not being given the desired role. The lyrics also highlight the singer's determination to take a chance and make the most of the opportunity they have been given, even if it means standing out and going against the expectations set for them.

Overall, "Deniro" is a song about the desire for recognition and the longing to be seen as more than just a background character. It captures the frustration of feeling underestimated and the urge to break free from predefined roles.

Line by Line Meaning

This is not the role that I auditioned for
I was hoping for a different role, not the one I was given

Please tell me who's in charge and I'll give them what for
I want to know who is responsible and I'll express my dissatisfaction to them

I don't wanna wear the wardrobe that you gave to me
I'm not happy with the clothes I have been provided

And how come I don't have a line to read?
Why am I not given any lines to speak?

I wanna be the one that all the fans adore
I want to be the one who is loved by all the fans

Don't wanna be the one that simply holds the door
I don't want to be a background character with no significant role

But if all I get is there's cameo
If the only thing I am offered is a small appearance

Then I will do my best to steal the show
I will make sure to give my best performance and grab attention

Might be the only chance I have to take a shot
This might be my only opportunity to prove myself

And so I'll do my dance because how could I not?
I will showcase my talent and make the most of the situation

I wanna stand out, not stand on the side
I want to be noticed and not be a mere spectator

I wanna get in when the stars arrive
I want to be present and involved when the famous people come

If I'm not the hero, if I'm not the lead
If I am not the main character, the singer

If I'm not De Niro, then I'll be
If I can't be like De Niro, a famous actor

The hero of the zeroes in the camouflage
I will be the hero for those who are underrated, unnoticed, and struggling

The extra due in extra in the entourage
I will be the extra who deserves recognition and a place in the group

Might be the only chance I have to take a shot
This might be my only opportunity to prove myself

And so I'll do my dance because how could I not?
I will showcase my talent and make the most of the situation

I wanna stand out, not stand on the side
I want to be noticed and not be a mere spectator

I wanna get in when the stars arrive
I want to be present and involved when the famous people come

If I'm not the hero, if I'm not the lead
If I am not the main character, the artist